Scotland Yard may speak to Australian DJs over death of nurse

Jacintha Saldanha died a couple of days after she took a prank call from two Australian DJs at the King Edward VII hospital (Picture: PA)

Metropolitan police officers have been in contact with Australian police over the death of a nurse who was working at the hospital where the Duchess of Cambridge was treated for morning sickness.

Jacintha Saldanha, 46, died on Friday a couple of days after she took a prank call from two Australian DJs pretending to be the Queen and Prince Charles.

While an inquest into her apparent suicide is due to begin imminently, UK police are said to be considering speaking to the 2Day FM presenters Michael Christian and Mel Greig after the pair tricked staff at the King Edward VII’s hospital.

A Metropolitan police spokesman confirmed: ‘Officers have been in contact with Australian authorities.’

While deputy commissioner for New South Wales police, Nick Kaldas, declared: ‘They haven’t actually asked us to do anything yet, but we’ve certainly opened up the lines of communication and obviously we’re happy to assist in any way we can.

‘All I can say at the moment is that it’s been indicated that the London Metropolitan police may wish to speak to the people involved in the matter from 2Day FM.

Tragic: Nurse Jacintha Saldanha (Picture: Police handout)

‘But we haven’t been asked to do anything yet, and we certainly have not been asked to interview anyone, or line up any interviews for the Met.’

Station bosses at 2Day FM claim no laws were broken by the pair and the hoax call had been approved by lawyers.

A board meeting was held earlier on Sunday, with the chairman of 2Day FM’s parent company Southern Cross Austereo, Max Moore-Wilton, replying to the chairman of King Edward VII’s hospital, Lord Glenarthur, in a letter.

In the letter he writes: ‘We are all saddened by the events of the last few days. They are truly tragic.

‘It is too early to know the full details leading to this tragic event and we are anxious to review the results of any investigation that may be made available to us or made public.

‘We can assure you that we will fully cooperate with all investigations. As we have said in our own statements on the matter, the outcome was unforeseeable and very regrettable.

‘I can assure you we are taking immediate action and reviewing the broadcast processes involved. Our company joins with you, all at the King Edward VII’s Hospital and Mrs Saldanha’s family and friends in mourning their tragic loss.’

At present Ms Greig and Mr Christian have been placed on ‘indefinite leave’ and are said to be receiving counselling following the intense backlash to their stunt.

Mrs Saldanha put through the pair’s call to a colleague who divulged private information about the treatment the Duchess of Cambridge was receiving at the hospital.

Her family have being paying tribute to the mother-of-two, with her husband Ben Barboza setting up a tribute page on Facebook and writing: ‘I am devastated with the tragic loss of my beloved wife Jacintha in tragic circumstances. She will be laid to rest in Shirva, India.’

Earlier, St James’s Palace said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were ‘deeply saddened’ by the news of Mrs Saldanha’s death, adding: ‘Their Royal Highnesses were looked after so wonderfully well at all times by everybody at King Edward VII Hospital, and their thoughts and prayers are with Jacintha Saldanha’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.’

On Sunday morning, it was confirmed the Duke of Cambridge had pulled out of attending the British Military Tournament in the evening so he can spend time with the Duchess as she recuperates from her treatment.